PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia is facing a huge issue involving religious fanatics and those who continually fan racial issues, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

The Prime Minister said that many were misinterpreting hadith and Quranic verses, claiming that Islam is apparently under threat.

“How is Islam being threatened? Then they said it was pop concerts being held, to which I answered 'didn’t you have concerts under your administration?’,” Anwar said in his opening speech at the PKR National Congress on Saturday (Nov 25).

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Anwar then pointed out that a recent bid by a mother and a daughter to nullify 18 Kelantan syariah criminal enactments began last year when Perikatan Nasional was the government.

“Where were the leaders of the Islamist party who were part of the government? Why wasn’t any action taken when the case was challenged in May 2022 in Kelantan? There were no voices then.

“Now, it seems as though we are challenging it. This has nothing to do with this government,” said Anwar.

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Anwar said the issue was whether the state or federal government can implement laws.

“The Federal Government only decides whether or not the state government can introduce laws involving criminal cases,” said Anwar.

“If we allow states to introduce their own laws, then all states can do so. Therefore, this is a decision for the Federal Court,” said Anwar.

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Anwar said it was imperative for unity government leaders to explain the facts behind this issue to the public.

“Now, it is claimed that Islam is being threatened. This is the propaganda of those riding on religion.

“You must go down and explain to the people because the facts are on our side. This matter was brought up before our administration,” added Anwar.

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Anwar said that if leaders tolerate such allegations, then all Malaysians will be divided along religious lines.

“There will not be just division among Muslims, but also Christians, Hindus and Buddhists.

“If we tolerate this, this country will be weakened and it will not last.

“We should not allow this nation to be misled by religion and race,” said Anwar.

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Anwar said the matter isn’t solely a Muslim and Malay issue, as other races are also guilty of fanning political tensions.

“When we wanted to strengthen Bahasa Malaysia as the national language, there were those who disputed it.

“In Peninsular Malaysia, BM must be defended. So, let there be no assumptions that we are undermining the importance of BM as the national language,” said Anwar.

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At the same time, Anwar also said DAP has never opposed any Malay or Islamic programmes in the country,

"There will be those who will voice out concerns of other communities, including the Indians and Chinese.

"What is the rationale for an ustaz to insult a race and for it to be left just like that and, in fact, welcomed?" he asked.

Anwar said that even though defending DAP could cause his support to be eroded, he will continue defending what is right.

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In May 25 last year, Nik Elin Zurina Nik Abdul Rashid and her daughter Tengku Yasmin Nastasha Tengku Abdul Rahman filed a constitutional challenge against 18 provisions under Kelantan’s syariah criminal enactment.

They argued that these provisions, which include punishments for incest, gambling, necrophilia, sodomy, sexual harassment, among others, were invalid as it is already covered by federal law.

The duo also argued that the power to legislate criminal matters belongs to Parliament, as state assemblies only have the right to enact laws concerning Islamic faith.

On Nov 20, Perikatan leaders and MPs were seen gathering at the Palace of Justice to protest against the legal challenge on the provisions of Kelantan’s syariah criminal enactment.

PAS also held similar protests in Terengganu on Nov 16 and in Kelantan two days later.